Variety of calla lily plant named ‘Black Hero’

ABSTRACT

‘Black Hero’ is a new variety of calla lily plant having inflorescences with a dark purple-colored spathe that produces 4-15 inflorescences per tuber. The height of the top of an inflorescence above the soil can reach up to 44 cm, and the leaves are dark green with transparent maculations present and have a leathery texture.

Botanical classification: Zantedeschia sprengeri.

Varietal denomination: ‘BLACK HERO’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of calla lily, botanically known as Zantedeschia sprengeri and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Black Hero’.

‘Black Hero’ is a product of a planned breeding program, which had the objective of creating Zantedeschia hybrids for pot flower production in a wide range of colors with a large, classic flower shape. The breeding program began in 1989, and the new cultivar is a seedling selected from the crossing of a Zantedeschia sprengeri selection referred to as Z020304 (female parent, unpatented) with Zantedeschia sprengeri ‘Odessa’ (male parent, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,833). ‘Black Hero’ was selected in 2007 by the inventor in 't Zand, The Netherlands as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘Black Hero’ by tissue culture was performed by the inventor in September of 2011 in 't Zand, The Netherlands. Subsequent asexual reproductions by tissue culture at the same location have demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are retained and reproduced true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in 14 cm pots in 't Zand, The Netherlands under greenhouse conditions, which approximate those generally used in horticultural practice. Color references are made to The 2001 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used.

The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determined to be basic characteristics of ‘Black Hero’ which, in combination, distinguish this calla lily as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Dark purple-colored spathe; and     -   2. High inflorescence production.

Further, when compared to calla lily plant named ‘Schwarzwalder’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,001), ‘Schwarzwalder’ has an upper surface spathe color of Greyed-Purple Group RHS 187A and a lower surface spathe color that varies between Greyed-Purple Group RHS 187A and Black Group RHS 202A, whereas ‘Black Hero’ has an upper and lower surface spathe color that varies between Purple Group RHS 77A and Greyed-Purple Group RHS 187A.

Table 1 provides similarities and differences of ‘Black Hero’ to its parents, Zantedeschia sprengeri selection Z020304 and Zantedeschia sprengeri ‘Odessa’.

TABLE 1 ‘Black Hero’ Similarities Differences Z020304 White leaf spots Number of inflorescences Plant height Spathe shape ‘Odessa’ Leaf shape Plant height Number of inflorescences Spathe color Spathe shape Number of white leaf spots

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, with the colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a plant of the new variety; and

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a group of multiple plants of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT The Plant

-   Size:     -   -   Height of the leaf canopy above the soil.—14-41 cm.         -   Height of top of inflorescence above the soil.—19-44 cm.         -   Diameter.—8-40 cm. -   Form: Erect. -   Number of inflorescences per tuber:     -   -   Size 14-16 cm in diameter.—4-8 inflorescences.         -   Size 16-18 cm in diameter.—8-12 inflorescences.         -   Size 18-20 cm in diameter.—8-15 inflorescences. -   Branches:     -   -   Character.—Many; like the variety ‘Odessa’.         -   Color.—Yellow-Green Group 144A. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Width: 2-8 cm. Length: 10-17 cm.         -   Number per plant.—17-44.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group RHS 147A to 147B,             having transparent maculations between White Group RHS 155A             and N155A. Lower surface: Yellow-Green Group RHS 147A to             147B, having transparent maculations between White Group RHS             155A and N155A. Margin: Undulate; having a color of Green             Group RHS 137A to Yellow-Green Group RHS 147B. Apex:             Apiculate. Base: Attenuate.         -   Veins.—Configuration: Pinnate. Color: Upper Surface:             Yellow-Green Group RHS 144A to 147A. Lower Surface: Green             Group RHS 137A to 137B.         -   Surface quality.—Leathery.         -   Petiole.—Length: 5-18 cm. Diameter: 6 mm. Color: The base is             White Group RHS 155A, and the upper part is Yellow-Green             Group RHS 144A. -   Roots:     -   -   Color.—White.         -   Branching.—Similar to other Zantedeschia varieties.

The Inflorescence and Seeds

-   Spathe:     -   -   Size.—Length (measured from opening to tip): 5-10 cm. Width:             3-6 cm. Height: 7-11 cm.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Varies between Purple Group RHS 77A             and Greyed-Purple Group 187A. Lower surface: Varies between             Purple Group RHS 77A and Greyed-Purple Group 187A.         -   Vein color.—Purple Group RHS 77A.         -   Shape.—Cupped.         -   Apex.—Apiculate.         -   Margin.—Revolute/undulate. -   Spadix:     -   -   Size.—Length: 20-55 mm. Diameter: 5-12 mm.         -   Color.—Greyed-Purple Group RHS 187A.         -   Position relative to spathe.—Upright. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Size.—Length: 12-35 cm. Diameter: 5-7 mm.         -   Color.—The upper part is Yellow-Green Group 144A, and the             lower part is Green-White Group RHS 157C. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Location of female organs.—Basal position of the spadix.         -   Location of male organs.—Upper position of the spadix.         -   Perianth.—Conspicuous.         -   Stamens.—Presence: Not visible before pollen release.             Number: More than 20. Pollen amount: Similar to ‘Picasso’             (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,282). Color: Between White Group RHS             155A and 155B.         -   Anther.—Shape: Round. Length: Less than 1 mm. Color:             Greyed-Purple Group RHS 187A.         -   Filament.—Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Between White Group             RHS 155A and 155B.         -   Pistils.—Number: 15 to 30. Length beyond perianth: About 1             mm.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Round. Size: Less than 1 mm.         -   Style.—Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Red-Purple Group RHS             59A.         -   Ovaries.—Texture: Smooth. Length: Between 1 to 10 mm. Width:             Between 1 to 10 mm. Color: Top color is Yellow Group 4C, the             bottom color is from White Group RHS 155B to Green-White             Group RHS 157C. -   Seeds:     -   -   Length.—4-7 mm.         -   Width.—3-6 mm.         -   Color.—Between Purple Group RHS N79B and N79D.         -   Amount.—Between 1-55.

General

-   Disease resistance: No unusual susceptibility to diseases noticed to     date. -   Pest resistance: No unusual susceptibility to pests noticed to date. -   Heat tolerance: No heat tolerance. -   Hardiness: Not hardy. -   Flowering: Tubers planted in a greenhouse in The Netherlands in     February produce inflorescences in April. Tubers planted outdoors in     The Netherlands in May produce inflorescences in July. -   Lastingness: About two weeks on the plant. -   Fragrance: None. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of calla lily plant named ‘Black Hero’ as herein described and illustrated. 